Lipases and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a newly identified polynucleotide sequence comprising a gene that encodes a novel lipolytic enzyme from Aspergillus niger The invention features the full length nucleotide sequence of the novel gene, the cDNA sequence comprising the full length coding sequence of the novel lipolytic enzyme as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional protein and functional equivalents thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using these enzymes in industrial processes and methods of diagnosing fungal infections. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention and cells wherein a lipolytic enzyme according to the invention is genetically modified to enhance its activity and/or level of expression.

1. An isolated lipolytic enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. 
     
     
       2. The enzyme of  claim 1  obtained from  Aspergillus niger.    
     
     
       3. An isolated lipolytic enzyme obtainable by expressing a polynucleotide which is hybridisable to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 10 and 11 under highly stringent conditions; wherein highly stringent conditions are hybridizing in 5x sodium chloride-sodium citrate (SSC), 5x Denhardt's solution, and 1.0% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 68° C. and washing in 0.2x SSC and 0.1% SDS at room temperature. 
     
     
       4. A recombinant lipolytic enzyme comprising a functional domain of the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       5. A fusion protein comprising the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       6. A process for the production of dough comprising adding the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 1  to dough ingredients. 
     
     
       7. A process for the production of a baked product from a dough comprising baking dough as prepared by the process according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
       8. A fusion protein comprising the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 3 . 
     
     
       9. A process for the production of dough comprising adding the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 3  to dough ingredients. 
     
     
       10. A process for the production of a baked product from a dough comprising baking dough as prepared by the process according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
       11. An isolated lipolytic enzyme encoded by a polynucleotide which is at least 95% identical to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1011 which is obtained by expressing a vector comprising the nucleotide sequence in an appropriate host cell. 
     
     
       12. A fusion protein comprising the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 11 . 
     
     
       13. A process for the production of dough comprising adding the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 9  to dough ingredients. 
     
     
       14. A process for the production of a baked product from a dough comprising baking dough as prepared by the process according to  claim 13 . 
     
     
       15. An isolated lipolytic enzyme comprising a polypeptide which is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. 
     
     
       16. A fusion protein comprising the amino acid sequence of the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 15 . 
     
     
       17. A process for the production of dough comprising adding the lipolytic enzyme of  claim 15  to dough ingredients. 
     
     
       18. A process for the production of a baked product from a dough comprising baking dough as prepared by the process according to  claim 17 .